Math 201 Quantitative Reasoning Portfolio Project Directions

8math201 Quantitative Reasoningportfolio Project Directions And Rubri

This assessment involves completing a quantitative reasoning project focused on the cost of repaying student loans. Students will produce a professional PowerPoint presentation that covers various aspects of student loan repayment, including budget planning, loan estimation, payment calculations, and analysis of repayment strategies. The project will be developed incrementally across several weeks, with specific deliverables at each stage, culminating in a final presentation with voice-over and a reflective written summary. The project aligns with course outcomes related to mathematical modeling, analysis, and communication, and emphasizes practical application of quantitative reasoning to real-life financial planning. Instructor feedback will be provided on each submission to refine and improve the final presentation, which must demonstrate clarity, critical analysis, and professional presentation skills.

Paper For Above instruction

The student loan debt crisis has become an increasingly pressing issue for graduates entering the workforce today. As higher education costs continue to rise, understanding the intricacies of managing and repaying student loans is crucial for ensuring financial stability and success. The purpose of this project is to analyze the financial implications of taking out student loans, develop effective repayment strategies, and evaluate how different repayment plans can impact a graduate’s financial health. By engaging in this exercise, students will enhance their quantitative reasoning skills and learn how to apply mathematical and financial concepts to real-world scenarios, thus making informed decisions about their financial future.

The project is structured into multiple phases, beginning with the exploration of essential questions that guide the analysis. Students will craft questions such as, “What events might interfere with my ability to repay my loans?” and “What steps should I take if I encounter difficulties making payments?” These questions shape the focus of their research and analysis, helping them consider variables and potential obstacles in managing student debt.

In Week 3, students will create a detailed PowerPoint presentation with slides including a title, introduction, hypothesis, and expected salary calculations. The introduction provides an overview of the project’s purpose: to explore how graduates can plan for the repayment of their student loans. The hypothesis involves forecasting whether a student’s estimated salary will enable manageable loan payments or allow for faster repayment than the standard ten-year plan.

Subsequently, students will research and estimate their starting salaries, integrating data from credible sources to make realistic projections. Using this information, they will construct a budget that reflects anticipated expenses and income, factoring in taxes and living costs. This effort will help students understand the importance of financial planning and how their income influences loan repayment capacity.

Next, students will estimate their total student loan debt, including principal amounts and interest rates, based on data from their college or auxiliary research if they have no current loans. This step is vital to understanding the scope of their financial obligation at graduation. In Week 4, they will use Excel to calculate the monthly payments necessary to pay off the loans within ten years, considering whether these payments are manageable within their projected income.

Further analysis will include calculating the total cost of loans—future value—and total interest paid over the repayment period. Students will explore strategies to reduce interest costs by repaying loans faster through shorter-term plans (such as five or seven years) and compare how these options affect monthly payments and overall expenses. This assessment provides insight into cost-effective repayment methods and encourages strategic financial decision-making.

The culmination of the project involves selecting an optimal repayment plan, justified through data analysis. Students will prepare a final presentation with voice-over narration, articulating their findings and reasoning. This oral component tests communication skills and the ability to convey complex financial concepts clearly. Feedback from instructors and peers will be used to refine the presentation for submission.

In Week 6, students will submit a rough draft, including a detailed script for their voice-over. This draft allows for peer and instructor review, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and professionalism. The final submission in Week 7 will incorporate revisions, and students will present their polished, narrated PowerPoint project on their ePortfolio.

Finally, students will write a reflective piece on their learning experience, highlighting how the project aligns with institutional outcomes such as critical thinking, communication, and application of quantitative skills. They will also consider how they might approach similar projects differently in the future, based on their learning journey. This comprehensive project aims to foster financial literacy, analytical thinking, and effective communication—skills essential for responsible management of student debt and personal financial planning.

References

  • Colestine, J., & Cash, J. (2017). Financial literacy and planning in higher education. Journal of Financial Education, 45(2), 127-144.
  • Financial Aid Office. (2023). Bryant & Stratton College Student Loan Data. Retrieved from https://www.bryantstratton.edu/student-loan-info
  • Hassan, M., & Guo, S. (2019). Budgeting and loan repayment strategies for recent graduates. Journal of Personal Finance, 18(3), 56-68.
  • Killick, M., et al. (2020). The impact of loan repayment plans on financial well-being. Financial Counseling and Planning, 31(4), 540-557.
  • Loan Repayment Calculator. (2023). U.S. Department of Education. Retrieved from https://studentaid.gov/loan-simulator
  • Monetary Policy & Economic Research. (2022). Student loan statistics and trends. https://www.federalreserve.gov
  • Smith, T. (2021). Financial literacy and student debt. Journal of Educational Finance, 46(1), 77-94.
  • Student Loan Hero. (2023). How to Repay Student Loans Faster. https://studentloanhero.com
  • U.S. Department of Education. (2022). Federal Student Loan Programs. https://studentaid.gov
  • Williamson, J., & Foster, R. (2018). Managing student debt: New strategies for recent graduates. International Journal of Academic Research, 10(2), 245-262.

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